Show notes
What does it actually take to leave behind everything you've built — your career, your country, your circle — and start over from scratch? Carolina Freeman did exactly that when she moved from Argentina to Wichita, and what she found on the other side is a story about identity, resilience, and the courage to finally live life on your own terms. Carolina is the chef and owner of Argentina's Empanadas in Wichita, Kansas — and she is one of those rare people whose wisdom hits you soul deep. In this conversation, we talk about the grief of starting over, the surprising difficulty of making friends as an adult, and why the journey itself is the actual reward.HIGHLIGHTSWhy moving around as a child builds the kind of resilience that sticks with you into adulthood — and how to give kids that same gift without leaving the countryThe emotional reality of immigrating as an adult: leaving behind a career, a neighborhood, a university identity, and friendships — and arriving somewhere no one knows your storyWhy making friends past 35 is genuinely hard (and why it has nothing to do with you)The two types of people you'll find after 40: those who are completely settled, and those who are just starting to discover who they really areHow Carolina left a career in HR to build a business that bridges her past and her presentWhy the second act isn't about age — it's about waking up and taking agency over the life you actually wantThe difference between chasing an end result and learning to find reward in the daily processThe emotional nakedness of entrepreneurship — and why feeling your emotions is not weakness, it's dataThe concept of "emotional agility" from Harvard psychologist Susan David and how using emotions as information can guide better decisionsWhy success, for Carolina, means freedom, harmony, and peace — not a yachtHow small, consistent action — a "grain of salt" every day — is what builds something big over timeCHAPTERS0:00 — Welcome1:50 — Second Acts and Identity3:25 — Moving to Wichita4:35 — Culture Shock and Language5:35 — Resilience Through Change7:22 — Making Friends as Adults9:46 — Defining the Second Act10:57 — From HR to Empanadas13:02 — Authenticity and Acceptance14:15 — Loneliness and Starting Over16:22 — Community-Driven Business17:39 — Taking the Leap19:07 — Journey Over Outcome20:34 — Live How You Want22:26 — Show Up Daily24:05 — Support and Emotions27:32 — Emotional Agility Tools29:42 — Redefining Success31:17 — Freedom and Brand Legacy33:09 — What's Next and Where to FollowRESOURCES MENTIONED Argentina's Empanadas — Instagram | Facebook | Location: Clifton Square, College Hill, Wichita, KS | Food truck at the Saturday Farmer's MarketWant to learn more?The ThreadBe sure to follow me @audradinell on Instagram and LinkedInThis show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.